Hearing on Use of Union Time

National VFW - 3/28/2017

On Tuesday, the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee
on Economic Opportunity held a hearing to discuss how much time VA
employees should be allowed to spend on union activities, known as
official time. Subcommittee members argued whether official time
detracts from VA’s ability to provide care to veterans or if it serves
to improve quality of care. AFGE Local 390 President Shirley Parker
Blommel testified that she uses official time to address problems at the
St. Cloud VA Health Care System which interfere or impede delivery of
care to veterans. VA supported a bill introduced by chairman Arrington
which would limit how much time VA employees can spend on official time
to ensure VA health care personnel can spend more time caring for
veterans rather than union duties. View a webcast of the hearing.